MIDDLESBROUGH, England (Interstat) — Middlesbrough opened its Championship season with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City at Riverside Stadium on Saturday. Defender Dael Fry headed Middlesbrough in front in the 17th minute, but Birmingham substitute Demarai Gray leveled the score just before the half-hour mark. Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney then netted the winner in first-half stoppage time. The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat, which had given Middlesbrough a 62.1% chance to win but simulated a 1-1 draw. The win gives Middlesbrough a perfect start to the league campaign.